Comments Off on Plugin Tower is a new low-cost modular home with no foundation

Plugin Tower is a modular multi-story home in Shenzhen, China that circumvents strict planning approval for permanent structures by eliminating the need for foundations. Chinese multidisciplinary studio People’s Architecture Office (PAO) , known for their temporary architectural solutions, conceived the design as a low-cost alternative to current housing solutions that can be easily packed up and moved. Requiring no underground foundations, the design circumvents planning approvals and provides utmost flexibility to home-owners. Thanks to its modular nature, the house can also be expanded to include more units, which can be easily inserted into the three-dimensional steel frame . This also allows for endless variations in design and configuration. Related: Tricycle House and Garden Offer Off-Grid Living for China’s Landless The firm used their proprietary Plugin Panel system of modules , which incorporate insulation, wiring, plumbing, interior and exterior finishes. The prefabricated panels are attached with integrated locks and easily installed by a couple of unskilled workers using only a hex wrench. + People’s Architecture Office (PAO) Via Archdaily Photos by Hannah Wu / People’s Architecture Office

Comments Off on New super batteries could charge phones in seconds and electric cars in minutes

A scientific breakthrough at the University of Surrey could completely change how we charge our devices. Researchers developed a new material that could be used to create supercapacitors 1,000 to 10,000 times more powerful than conventional batteries . The new super batteries would also be safer, faster charging, more efficient, and greener. The breakthrough is made possible by a special type of polymer that is, surprisingly enough, adapted from the principles used to make soft contact lenses. Supercapacitors have long been considered a superior alternative to batteries – able to charge and discharge energy incredibly quickly. However, until now, the materials used for these devices have had a poor energy density that limited their usefulness. This new, denser polymer could change all that. This groundbreaking new technology could allow electric cars to finally become competitive with conventional vehicles. Cars equipped with the new supercapacitors could be charged in minutes, taking no longer than the time it takes to fill a normal vehicle with gasoline. It could also completely transform our household devices and appliances, allowing phones and laptops to charge in mere seconds. Related: MIT’s new carbon-free supercapacitor could revolutionize the way we store power The development seems to confirm what Elon Musk has been predicting for years : that supercapacitors are likely the future of electric transportation. With this new breakthrough, it’s only a matter of time before faster-charging EVs capable of traveling far longer distances hit the market. Via The Daily Mail Images via Myrtle Beach TheDigitel and Pixabay